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Bohs get bulk of PFAI nominations

Thu, Nov 5, 2009, 00:00

Three Bohemians players are among the six nominees for the Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland (PFAI) player of the year, while Gary Deegan has also been shortlisted for the young players’ award.

Deegan is joined on the shortlist for the main award by team-mates Jason Byrne and Brian Shelley, Raffaele Cretaro (Sligo Rovers), Chris Turner (Dundalk) and Gary Twigg (Shamrock Rovers).

Another team-mate from the champions elect, Conor Powell, is also in contention for young player of the year, along with UCD’s Ronan Finn, who is nominated with Conan Byrne (Sporting Fingal) and David McAllister (Shelbourne) for First Division player of the year.

The winners will be announced at the Ford sponsored PFAI Awards at the Burlington Hotel in Dublin on November 15th.

Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane, Birmingham City midfielder Keith Fahey and Manchester City Stephen Ireland are in the running for the inaugural Irish Overseas Players of the Year award.

“It's always nice to be nominated for any award but when it's by fellow players it always makes it a bit more special," Keane said in a statement released by the PFAI this afternoon.

"This is the first year of the award and it was voted for by the League of Ireland players in both the premier and first divisions, so this is a real honour to be recognised and one of three Irish players selected, as there are so many talented Irish players playing outside of the League.

“The international players have a great relationship with the PFAI and the association does great work for Irish footballers at all levels, so the introduction of this award is a great initiative and we will continue to support the PFAI and fellow players.”

The PFAI has also revealed the teams of the year from both divisions.

Bohemians have six players in the Premier Division team but there is no room for strikers Glen Crowe or Byrne.

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“The Premier Division team of the year is made up of players from four different clubs and another excellent season for Bohemians was recognised by the players and they have six representatives on the selection again this year” said PFAI secretary Stephen McGuinness.

“It was the most open and competitive First Division in years and the team of the year in that division is dominated by the top four clubs of Champions UCD, Sporting Fingal, Shelbourne and Waterford United.

“We are in the third year of a four deal with Ford so we are looking forward to hopefully extending the established and successful relationship over the coming years.”